Visa Categories

Employment on J-1 Student Status

J-1 Student Visa holders are allowed to work in the U.S. only if they maintain valid J-1 status and have written permission from their J-1 sponsor. Please review the sections below for detailed information about each type and the procedures for obtaining authorization.

On-Campus Employment

On-campus jobs are limited to 20 hours a week while school is in session and full-time during breaks. Locations approved for on-campus jobs are:

  • University positions on Center City and East Falls campuses

  • Thomas Jefferson University Hospital 

  • Methodist Hospital

  • Jefferson Hospital for Neuroscience 

  • Abington Hospital

  • Wills Eye if employment is for Jefferson faculty 

Log in to the International Services Portal to report your on-campus job. If you have questions regarding regulations related to on-campus jobs, contact your International Student Advisor.

If you’re looking for a flexible schedule or to work for only a few hours, contact:

JeffTemps
1101 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-503-TEMP (8367)

You can also speak with your department or contact:

Human Resources
1101 Market Street, Philadelphia, PA 19107
215-503-HRSC (4772)

Academic Training

Allows J-1 students the opportunity to apply knowledge gained in the classroom to a practical work experience off campus. It can be paid or unpaid, full or part-time employment to those in both degree and non-degree programs.

The training/employment must begin within the first 30 days after the official academic program completion date.

  • The student is in a full-time academic program
  • The student has a valid J-1 status
  • The student applies before the completion of their academic program

  • Limited to 18 months for degree programs (36 months for postdoctoral training)
  • The total employment/training period may not exceed the amount of time spent in a full course of study. For example, if you are a Master's student who completed a program in 12 months, you are only eligible for 12 months of academic training
  • Any pre-completion academic training period is deducted from your total allowable academic training period when calculating post-completion academic training

  • Submit a formal offer letter from your potential academic training employer which includes job title, description of goals/objectives of your training/employment dates, location of training/employment, number of hours per week, salary and benefits, name, and title of your training supervisor
  • Your academic advisor or program director must recommend the Academic Training through a letter
  • Log in to the International Services Portal to make a request for Academic Training and follow the instructions